The aim of this study was to compare apical sealing ability and physical properties of MTA, MTA - AH-plus mixture (AMTA) and experimental Portland cement - Epoxy resin mixture (EPPC) for a development of a novel retro-filling material.

Forty-nine extracted roots were instrumented and filled with gutta-percha. Apical root was resected at 3 mm and the retro-filling cavity was prepared for 3 mm depth. Roots were randomly divided into 3 groups of 15 roots each. The retro-filling was done using MTA, AMTA, and EPPC as the groups divided. Four roots were used as control groups. After setting in humid condition for 24 hours, the roots were immersed in 1% methylene blue dye solution for 72 hours to test the apical leakage. After immersion, the roots were vertically sectioned and photos were taken to evaluate microleakage. Setting times were measured with Vicat apparatus and digital radiographs were taken to evaluate aluminum equivalent thickness using aluminum step wedge. The results of microleakage and setting time were compared between groups using one-way ANOVA and Scheffe's post-hoc comparison at the significance level of 95%.

AMTA and EPPC showed less microleakage than MTA group (p < 0.05). AMTA showed the highest radio-opacity than other groups and the novel EPPC showed 5 mm aluminum thickness radio-opacity. EPPC showed the shortest initial and final setting times than other groups while the MTA showed the longest (p < 0.05).

Under the condition of this study, the novel composite using Portland cement-Epoxy resin mixture may useful for retro-filling with the properties of favorable leakage resistance, radio-opacity and short setting time.

The aim of this study was to compare the push-out bond strengths of resin cement/fiber post systems to post space dentin using different application methods of resin cement.

Thirty extracted human premolars were selected and randomly divided into 3 groups according to the technique used to place the cement into root canal: using lentulo-spiral instrument (group Lentulo), applying the cement onto the post surface (group Direct), and injecting the material using a specific elongation tip (group Elongation tip). After shaping and filling of the root canal, post space was drilled using Rely-X post drill. Rely-X fiber post was seated using Rely-X Unicem and resin cement was light polymerized. The root specimens were embedded in an acrylic resin and the specimens were sectioned perpendicularly to the long axis using a low-speed saw. Three slices per each root containing cross-sections of coronal, middle and apical part of the bonded fiber posts were obtained by sectioning. The push-out bond strength was measured using Universal Testing Machine. Specimens after bond failure were examined using operating microscope to evaluate the failure modes.

Push-out bond strengths were statistically influenced by the root regions. Group using the elongation tip showed significantly higher bond strength than other ways. Most failures occurred at the cement/dentin interface or in a mixed mode.

The use of an elongation tip seems to reduce the number of imperfections within the self-adhesive cement interface compared to the techniques such as direct applying with the post and lentulo-spiral technique.